1)The government should not include agriculture in NZETS before being capable to resolve the problems that have appeared:
- Incapability to measure the carbon emission at farm level
- No decision on how to allocate emission units
- Will this inclusion diminish their competitiveness in an international industry that is highly competitive on price? If so, how should the government fix it?
- Should all farms (big and small) be taken into consideration on the same scale? Taking into account that there is approximately 40 000 farms in New Zealand.
2) Promoting further research and organic agriculture are the best solutions. The recommendations for these priorities are:
- Providing financial incentives is primordial over the first three years for farmers who want to convert in this organic sector. For the moment, no aids are given and farmers struggle alone during the period of time necessary to convert the entire farm from land to management. It seems vital to help these farmers which can handle the costs alone[1].
- Informing people about organic food and encouraging farmers in to organic agriculture. Communication is the key to develop sustainable agriculture.
Encouraging research policy in the agriculture sector but providing allowances
[1] Idem, 69.